Module 4: Utilizing resources and tools for project success

Test your knowledge: Evaluating tools

Practice Assignment

1. What are the main uses of scheduling and work management software? Select all that apply.

  • Help visualize a team’s project progress
  • Easily assign tasks to multiple teammates
  • Efficiently track progress on the team’s work
  • Quickly communicate with teammates and stakeholders

Explanation:
Scheduling and work management software helps teams streamline project processes. It allows for:

  • Visualizing project progress: Provides clear status updates.
  • Assigning tasks: Simplifies task delegation among team members.
  • Tracking progress: Monitors completion rates and deadlines.
    These features enhance efficiency and collaboration.

2. Which of the following are best practices when introducing a new tool to a team? Select all that apply.

  • Ensure the tool is functional after the team is introduced to it.
  • Get feedback from stakeholders on important features that may help manage the project.
  • If replacing a tool, allow for a transition period
  • Discuss the tool early and often

Explanation:
When introducing a new tool, it is essential to ensure team acceptance and seamless integration by:

  • Discussing early and often: Creates familiarity and avoids resistance.
  • Gathering stakeholder feedback: Identifies useful features to meet project needs.
  • Allowing a transition period: Provides time to adapt to changes, especially if replacing an old tool.

3. Fill in the blank: If a project has a _____, then it may be worth the team’s time to learn a more sophisticated tool.

  • small team
  • short deadline
  • large scope
  • limited budget

Explanation:
Projects with a large scope involve more complexities, such as numerous tasks, dependencies, and stakeholders. A sophisticated tool helps manage these aspects effectively. Smaller teams or projects with short deadlines typically require simpler tools.

4. As a project manager, you need to determine how best to communicate with stakeholders across the company. Which tools are best for communicating?

  • Productivity tools
  • Work management software
  • Budgeting tools
  • Collaboration tools

Explanation:
Collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams) are designed to facilitate effective communication between team members and stakeholders. These tools enable instant messaging, file sharing, and virtual meetings, ensuring efficient information flow.

5. Which three of the following best practices can help you choose tools for your project?

  • Select tools based on your project’s scope
  • Know a tool’s capability.
  • Understand a tool’s purpose.
  • Choose the same tools you used in your last project.

Explanation:
To select the right tools:

  • Understand a tool’s purpose: Ensures alignment with project needs.
  • Know its capability: Verifies it meets technical and functional requirements.
  • Base it on project scope: Matches tool complexity to project demands.

Reflection: Project tools

Practice Assignment

6. For this exercise, you will read a scenario and describe tools you should use for the project. Start by reading the scenario:

As the project manager of a new project, you decide which scheduling, productivity, collaboration, and work management tools the team will use. For the project, you will have eight team members and four remote stakeholders. You expect the project to take around six months to complete. There are a dozen deliverables and over 100 tasks.

Have you read the scenario?

I have

7. List at least one scheduling tool to keep the project on track. In 1-2 sentences, describe how you can use the tool.

Tool: Microsoft Project
Explanation:
Microsoft Project can be used to create a detailed project schedule, including task timelines, dependencies, and milestones. The Gantt chart feature helps visualize the project timeline and ensures tasks are completed on schedule.

8. List at least two productivity and collaboration tools to achieve tasks and better communicate with the team and stakeholders. In 1-2 sentences, describe how you can use each tool.

Productivity and Collaboration Tools:

  1. Tool: Slack
    Explanation: Slack enables instant communication among team members and stakeholders through channels and direct messages. It’s ideal for discussing updates, sharing files, and resolving issues quickly.

  2. Tool: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive)
    Explanation: Google Workspace allows team members and stakeholders to collaboratively edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in real time. It simplifies document sharing and ensures everyone is working with the latest versions.

9. List at least one type of project management software—also called work management tools—to plan, track, and complete work. In 1-2 sentences, describe how you can use the tool.

Tool: Trello
Explanation:
Trello uses boards, lists, and cards to organize tasks and track progress visually. It’s excellent for managing over 100 tasks by assigning tasks to team members, setting due dates, and monitoring task completion in one place.

Module 4 Challenge

Graded Quiz.

10. Fill in the blank: If the project has a _____, then it may be worth it for the team to learn a more sophisticated project management tool.

  • short timeline
  • new project sponsor
  • large scope
  • few deliverables

11. As a project manager, you need to update your project charter with a statement about the tangible outcome of the project. In which section of the project charter does this information go?

  • Business case
  • Benefits
  • Project deliverable
  • Project scope

12. Fill in the blank: A project manager creates a project charter _____ a project proposal.

  • at the same time as
  • as an introduction to
  • before
  • after

13. Fill in the blank: Project managers need to ensure project information is _____ through formal documentation, such as email, a presentation, or a digital document.

  • available only to stakeholders
  • easily accessible to everyone
  • available only to team members
  • easily accessible to the public

14. Email and chat are examples of what type of project management tool?

  • Work management
  • Progress visualization
  • Collaboration
  • Scheduling

15. A project manager needs a tool to assign tasks and help visualize the team’s task progress. Which tool type should they choose?

  • Email
  • Shared documents
  • Work management
  • Chat

16. Fill in the blank: As a project manager, you may use Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple’s Keynote, or Google Slides to _____.

  • share documents
  • manage budgets
  • send emails
  • create presentations

17. Collaboration tools such as email or chat allow teams to do what tasks? Select all that apply.

  • Plan the budget
  • Check in on project tasks
  • Visualize project task completion
  • Work collectively and closely with other team members

18. Fill in the blank: _____ are items you need to help get the project done. They are considered project resources.

  • Materials
  • Meetings
  • Status updates
  • Reports

19. When developing the project charter, who does the project manager typically work with?

  • stakeholders only
  • teammates only
  • the customer only
  • teammates and stakeholders

20. Fill in the blank: For small projects, project managers should typically use _____.

  • more sophisticated tools
  • simple and straightforward tools
  • recently created tools
  • highest-rated tools

21. What type of document is typically created at the end of the initiation phase to define key details of the project?

  • Project proposal
  • Project plan
  • Project charter
  • Project scope

22. Fill in the blank: A project manager needs to receive approval from stakeholders and ____ to move on to the next stage.

  • a team member
  • a team consultant
  • the project sponsor
  • the project vendor

23. A new team member joins your project during the initiation phase. How can you familiarize the team member with the project?

  • Give them the project documentation to review and encourage them to ask questions.
  • Assign the new team member the tasks they need to execute.
  • Allow the team member to review a previous project plan.
  • Allow the team member to come to you if they have questions.

24. A project manager needs a tool to create a project charter. What type of tool should they use?

  • Work management
  • Chat
  • Shared document
  • Email

25. What tool can you use to create presentations for stakeholders on a new project?

  • Google Spreadsheets
  • Google Slides
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Teams

26. Collaboration tools allow teammates to do what two tasks? Select all that apply.

  • Visualize the team’s progress
  • Check in with each other efficiently
  • Demonstrate an overview of the project
  • Comment on topics related to the project

27. In project management, what resource tracks the cost of the software, new vendor hires, and marketing for a project?

  • Schedule
  • Budget
  • People
  • Materials

28. What document can stakeholders reference to ensure the project is aligned with its goals?

  • Project charter
  • Project tasks
  • Project proposal
  • Project schedule

29. As a project manager, you work with a large team to complete the launch of a new website in one year. What type of tool would you use to successfully complete this project?

  • A simple and straightforward tool
  • A more sophisticated tool
  • A recently created tool
  • The highest-rated tool

30. At the beginning of a project, a senior organizational leader creates a document to persuade stakeholders that a project should begin. What is the name of this document?

  • Project charter
  • Project framework
  • Project proposal
  • Project plan

31. As a project manager, you receive approval from key stakeholders on the project proposal. What is the next piece of documentation you need to create?

  • Project charter
  • Project task
  • Project goal
  • Project measure

32. In which of the following scenarios does the project manager implement documentation well? Select all that apply.

  • A stakeholder talks with two different team members and receives conflicting information on a vendor. They cannot find information about the vendor in the shared document drive.
  • The key stakeholder determines they want to add a feature to the product in development. The project manager includes this update in the project charter and communicates it to the team.
  • The project manager shares the project timeline on a cloud-based document sharing program.
  • Because the project manager doesn’t have all the project’s details, they ask a current team member to onboard the new team member.

33. What is a consequence of releasing a new tool to team members before testing it thoroughly?

  • There will be no negative consequences since the team will adjust to the tool.
  • The team will be hesitant to use the product if there are issues with the tool.
  • The team will communicate with the project manager more often.
  • Team members will give effective feedback and build team morale.

34. As a project manager, you work with teams in different departments. You need to get answers quickly to project-related questions. What tool should you use to communicate efficiently with these teams?

  • Presentation tool
  • Shared document
  • Work management tool
  • Team chat

35. A project manager plans resources for a new construction project. What type of resource includes the machines needed to complete the work?

  • People
  • Materials
  • Plans
  • Sources

36. Project managers use tools to accomplish which of the following activities? Select all that apply.

  • Build charts and diagrams
  • Carry out team-building exercises
  • Manage the budget
  • Keep stakeholders informed
  • Negotiate with vendors

37. As a project manager, you need to update your project charter with details for the team sponsor and team lead. Which section of the project charter contains this information?

  • Scope and exclusion
  • Project deliverables
  • Business case
  • Project team

38. During the initiation phase of a project, the stakeholders introduce a new feature to add to the deliverables. What can you do to ensure the team remembers all the details for the added feature?

  • Document the details in a shared document.
  • Schedule a meeting with your team members to discuss the feature.
  • Document the details on a whiteboard in your office.
  • Schedule a meeting for the stakeholders to explain the feature to the team.

39. As a project manager, you introduce a new tool to the team on Monday and tell them to be ready to use it by Wednesday. Your team members are resistant to using it. They also report that technical issues with the software are keeping them from completing tasks. What three steps could you do next time to ensure a smooth transition? Select all that apply.

  • Have the team take an online training course after introducing the tool.
  • Introduce the tool to the team earlier than on Monday.
  • Test the tool thoroughly before rolling it out to the team.
  • Set up training for the tool before the team uses it.

40. A project manager needs to track changes in the project’s goal and scope. What type of tool should they use?

  • Work management
  • Email
  • Shared document
  • Chat

41. The project sponsor requests a report on the current budget needs of a project. They would like to review a detailed breakdown of costs. Which type of tool would be best to use to meet the project sponsor’s request?

  • Scheduling software
  • Visualization cards
  • Spreadsheets
  • Chat

42. Which of the following options best describes the goals of a project charter?

  • It provides a way to reflect on the project.
  • It defines the project and necessary details.
  • It is an email that goes out to all team members.
  • It convinces the stakeholders why they need to do the project.

43. What details should be in your project charter? Select all that apply.

  • Scope
  • Detailed project plan
  • Stakeholder analysis
  • Project goals
  • Deliverables

44. Which are examples of work management tools?

  • Asana, Basecamp, and Trello
  • Microsoft Word and Google Docs
  • Email and chat
  • Microsoft PowerPoint, Keynote, and Google Slides

45. Digital documents, such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word, help a project manager complete what three tasks? Select all that apply.

  • Track and review team processes
  • Create agendas
  • Outline project scope and next steps
  • Chat efficiently with the team

46. What is the main purpose of collaboration tools in a project?

  • To create a schedule for the project
  • To communicate quickly with team members
  • To create presentations for stakeholders
  • To assign new tasks to team members

47. Fill in the blank: Since the project manager uses the project charter throughout the project, it acts like a _____ for the project.

  • compass
  • bank
  • storage unit
  • main communication channel

48. Which of the following circumstances indicates that the project is approved to move forward?

  • The project sponsor and key stakeholders sign off on the project charter.
  • The project manager finishes the project’s deliverables and milestones.
  • The finance department approves the budget and the team members have been selected.
  • The stakeholders state the cost of the project outweighs the value it brings to the organization.

49. What tool should you use to keep track of tasks for a small project with two team members?

  • Work management
  • Presentation
  • Spreadsheet
  • Chat

50. You create a RACI chart for team members on a new project. What tool should you use?

  • Google Spreadsheets
  • Microsoft Word
  • Jira
  • Keynote

51 Which of the following best describes what a living document means?

  • A document that evolves as the project progresses
  • A digital document stored in the cloud
  • A document that is updated from project to project
  • A document that has been shared with the team

52. Fill in the blank: Effective tracking and ____ are a large part of a project manager’s responsibilities.

  • communication with team members
  • creating project management tools
  • assessment of performance feedback
  • executing tasks for the project

53. Who does the project manager need to get approval from before indicating a Go for the project? Select all that apply.

  • Vendors
  • Project sponsor
  • Project team members
  • Key stakeholders

54. What are the two types of documents typically created in the initiation phase of a project? Select all that apply.

  • Project retrospective
  • Project plan
  • Project charter
  • Project proposal

55. You have an idea to improve the employee engagement initiatives at your company. What kind of document should you create to present the idea?

  • Project plan
  • Project framework
  • Project charter
  • Project proposal

56. A spreadsheet is a versatile tool that helps a project manager to do what? Select all that apply.

  • Create timelines
  • Build charts
  • Communicate with teammates
  • Manage budgets

57. In project management, the people who help execute the project are also referenced as what?

  • Materials
  • Resources
  • Tools
  • Budget

58. You create a new meeting agenda with status updates for your team members. What type of tool should you use?

  • Spreadsheet
  • Chat
  • Shared document
  • Presentation slides

59. A project manager lists the assets the team needs to acquire to complete a project. What type of assets is the project manager listing?

  • Project resources
  • Project budgets
  • Project stakeholders
  • Project plans

60. Why is it important for a project manager to properly document a project? Select all that apply.

  • Proper documentation helps communicate any changes to the project’s scope.
  • Without proper documentation the team members may receive conflicting information about the project.
  • Proper documentation ensures nothing in the project can go wrong.
  • Proper documentation can pave the way for the success of the project within the time constraints.

61. A project manager needs a tool to assign tasks for all the team members on a large project. Which tool type should they choose?

  • Chat
  • Work management
  • Email
  • Shared documents

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